The use of bis(diphenylphosphino)amines with N-aryl functionalities in selective ethylene tri- and tetramerisation

A systematic study was conducted on the Cr catalysed tri- and tetramerisation of ethylene using bis(diphenylphosphino)amine ligands with N-aryl functionality. This study revealed that the oligomerisation reaction product selectivity is primarily dependent on the structure and size of the N-aryl groups.

Addition of sufficient steric bulk to the N-phenyl group via ortho-alkyl substitution increased the combined 1-hexene and 1-octene selectivity (overall alpha selectivity) to above 82% at an overall 1-octene selectivity of 56%. The introduction of a single carbon spacer between the N-atom and the aryl-moiety, as well as the addition of branching on this carbon, resulted in further selectivity improvements, achieving an overall 1-octene selectivity of 64% and an overall alpha selectivity of 84%. This was obtained at catalyst productivities in excess of 1,000,000 g/g Cr/h.     

Mechanistic investigations of the ethylene tetramerisation reaction

The unprecedented selective tetramerisation of ethylene to 1-octene was recently reported. In the present study various mechanistic aspects of this novel transformation were investigated. The unusually high 1-octene selectivity in chromium-catalyzed ethylene tetramerisation reactions is caused by the unique extended metallacyclic mechanism in operation. Both 1-octene and higher 1-alkenes are formed by further ethylene insertion into a metallacycloheptane intermediate, whereas 1-hexene is formed by elimination from this species as in other reported trimerisation reactions. This is supported by deuterium labeling studies, analysis of the molar distribution of 1-alkene products, and identification of secondary co-oligomerization reaction products. In addition, the formation of two C6 cyclic products, methylenecyclopentane and methylcyclopentane, is discussed, and a bimetallic disproportionation mechanism to account for the available data is proposed.     

Ethylene tetramerization: a new route to produce 1-octene in exceptionally high selectivities

Linear alpha-olefins, such as 1-hexene and 1-octene, are important comonomers in the production of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). The conventional method of producing 1-hexene and 1-octene is by oligomerization of ethylene, which yields a wide spectrum of linear alpha-olefins (LAOs). While there exists several processes for producing 1-hexene via ethylene trimerization, a similar route for the selective production of 1-octene has so far been elusive. We now, for the first time, report an unprecedented ethylene tetramerization reaction that produces 1-octene in selectivities exceeding 70%, using an aluminoxane-activated chromium/((R2)2P)2NR1 catalyst system.     

First Cr(III)-SNS complexes and their use as highly efficient catalysts for the trimerization of ethylene to 1-hexene

Cr(III) complexes of tridentate SNS ligands have been prepared and evaluated as catalysts for ethylene trimerization, with several giving very high activity and excellent selectivity toward 1-hexene when activated with methylaluminoxane. The new complexes illustrate the potential of sulfur-based ligands on early transition metals for catalysis.     

Structural effects of the lone pair on lead(II), and parallels with the coordination geometry of mercury(II). Does the lone pair on lead(II) form H-bonds? Structures of the lead(II) and mercury(II) complexes of the pendant-donor macrocycle DOTAM (1,4,7,10-tetrakis(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane)

The synthesis and structures of [Pb(DOTAM)](ClO4)2.4.5H2O (1) and [Hg(DOTAM)](ClO4)2.0.5CH3OH.1.5H2O (2) are reported, where DOTAM is 1,4,7,10-tetrakis(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane. Compound 1 is triclinic, space group P, a = 12.767(3) A, b = 13.528(2) A, c = 18.385(3) A, alpha = 101.45(2) degrees, beta = 93.32(2) degrees, gamma = 90.53(2) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.0500. Compound 2 is monoclinic, space group Cc, a = 12.767(3) A, b = 13.528(2) A, c = 18.385(3) A, beta = 101.91(2) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.0381. The Pb(II) ion in 1 has an average Pb-N = 2.63 A to four N-donors from the macrocyclic ring, and four O-donors (average Pb-O = 2.77 A) from the amide pendant donors of the macrocycle, with a water molecule placed with Pb-O = 3.52 A above the proposed site of the lone pair (Lp) on Pb. The Hg(II) in 2 appears to be only six-coordinate, with four Hg-N bond lengths averaging 2.44 A, and two Hg-O from pendant amide donors at 2.41 A. The other two amide donors appear to be noncoordinating, with Hg-O distances of 2.74 and 2.82 A. A water situated 3.52 A above the proposed site of the lone pair on Pb(II) in 1 is oriented in such a way that it might be thought to be forming a Pb-Lp.H-O-H hydrogen bond. It is concluded that that this is not an H-bond, but that the presence of the lone pair allows a closer approach of the hydrogens to Pb than would be true otherwise. The structural analogy in the VSEPR sense between Pb(II), which has the 5d(10)6s(2) outer electron structure, and the Hg(II) ion, which has the 5d10 structure, is examined. The tendency of Hg(II) toward linear coordination, with two short Hg-L bonds (L = ligand) at 180 degrees to each other, and other donor groups at roughly 90 degrees to this and at much longer bond distances, is paralleled by Pb(II). One of the short Hg-L bonds is replaced in the Pb(II) structures by the lone pair (Lp), which is opposite the short Pb-L bond, or in some cases 2-4 shorter Pb-L bonds.     

Highly selective chromium-based ethylene trimerisation catalysts with bulky diphosphinoamine ligands

In situ prepared chromium catalysts containing bulky diphosphinoamine (PNP) ligands, upon activation with MAO, are extremely efficient catalysts for the trimerisation of ethylene to 1-hexene.     

Ethylene trimerisation and tetramerisation catalysts with polar-substituted diphosphinoamine ligands

Chromium-based catalyst systems with polar-substituted diphosphinoamine ligands are selective for either trimerisation or tetramerisation of ethylene, depending on the position of the polar groups on the aryl rings.